by Zara Teleg
I kicked out my stool, and Jonah and I approached the group. The men wanted to take them home; that wasn’t happening. I pulled Paige from his grasp into my body. Her perfume and soft curves had me wanting to take her home myself. She was so fucking gorgeous. Her smoky eyes and flushed cheeks were sexy as hell. Luckily, their dance partners respected the patch and backed off.
I got her to my car without much of a struggle. “Kai, what are you…” she slurred as I buckled her in. “I’m tired.” She yawned.
“Just rest, Tink, we’ll be home soon.”
“Home? I miss home.” She had drunk truth serum.
“You’re not going to puke in my car, are you?”
Her giggles turned into loud hiccups. “No—hiccup—I’m—hiccup—fine… Wow, this car is pretty. Is it yours? Hiccup.”
“Yes, I prefer to keep it in the garage and ride my bike, but when I got the call that you were drunk and about to leave with some assholes, I kicked out my company and took Lydia.”
“Lydia? Hiccup. You named your car Lydia?”
The conversation quickly ended as her hiccups turned into snores. She pressed her arm against the window and buried her face in it. We arrived at my building and I carried her upstairs.
“Make it stop spinning,” she said.
I dug her keys from her purse and opened the door to her apartment. I kicked it closed and was thankful when I saw her bed was already down. I pulled back the sheet with one arm, still holding her with the other.
“Tink.” I set her down onto the bed. Her eyes were half-opened. “You gotta change.” I handed her the big tee she had flung over her desk chair.
“Kaaaaai, I need help,” she whined, pointing her booted feet at me.
I sighed. I was going to have a little talk with Amber tomorrow. I yanked the sexy black boots from her feet. She popped the buttons on her jeans.
“Pull.” She stuck her legs out.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Tink.”
“C’mon, Kai, I can’t.”
She pushed her legs up again. I grumbled a little before tugging at the pant legs of her painted-on jeans. She laughed as her body bounced with each tug. With each inch the pants came down, I couldn’t help but look at her creamy skin that was dotted with a few faint freckles. Her legs were so damn well defined and that ass... I turned away when my eyes found her white lace panties.
“I think you got it from here,” I said.
She kicked her pants off the rest of the way, flinging them across the room before removing the smoke-filled tank top. Her giggles had her huge tits bouncing out of her matching bra. I spun away, handing her the shirt from behind me. God, if this were any other girl, I would be on my knees, making her scream. Just the thought had me hardening.
“I gotta go, Tink.”
“Awww, you don’t have to go,” she mumbled through her yawn.
I filled a glass of water at her sink, setting it beside her. She was out before I walked out of the kitchen area. I placed the water on the nightstand and covered her up, more for me than her. I spent a few moments longer than I should have to look around her place. She had loads of plants, books, candles, and the Day of the Dead skulls she collected. I didn’t really know much about style, but I liked it.
I picked up the frame I saw her holding the other day. In it was a photo of an older woman and a violet-eyed little girl clutching a pink stuffed bunny. I looked at her bed where the same very worn rabbit sat. The woman and the girl were on an ornate wrap-around porch that was draped in Spanish moss. When I heard Paige stir, I quickly put down the photo and let myself out, turning the inside lock. I leaned against her door, closing my eyes and tapping my head against the door, willing myself to stop thinking of her.
Paige
“Curse the sun.” What was left of my voice rasped out as I placed a pillow over my face. Dear God, make it stop. The forklike stabbing was coming from the back of my eyes. It matched the rhythm of what felt like a sledgehammer repeatedly hitting me over the head.
I wiped the drool from the side of my mouth. I was tucked into my murphy, the stench of last night’s clothes rising from a pile on the floor. I recalled the events from last night. I was pretty clear on what happened, until the ride home. I sat up in bed way too quickly as my hands immediately felt for the little clothing I had on.
“Oh, great.” I felt like crying of embarrassment, remembering the bits and pieces of Kai being here. My headache grew as I remembered begging him to take my pants off.
Buzz, buzz, buzz. The phone was coming from under the stinky shirt balled on the floor. I felt around and slid my thumb across the screen, answering on speaker.
“Morning bee-ot-tch,” Amber sang into the phone a little too happily.
“How are you up and sounding so damn chipper?”
“Practice, my dear, practice.” I heard the inhale of her cigarette. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
I noticed the red three over my email and clicked it.
“Yeah, Kai brought me home and—”
Congratulations! Your results are in! The subject line had me freezing midsentence.
“Paige? Paige, are you there?”
My heart was beating in my throat.
“Uh, Amber, I gotta go… I’ll call ya later.” I clicked end before she could reply.
My finger hovered over the email. A sense of dread and excitement had me wanting to puke. The phone was moving as my hands began to tremble. This was it. There was no going back. I pushed the screen, opening the email and reading through the brief instructions in a blur, getting right down to the DNA results.
The tingles began in my toes, working their way up my calves, and a deadweight formed in my thighs. With each word and every result contained, it was evidently clear: I wasn’t my parents’ daughter.
No matter how long I stared at the email, it wouldn’t change the result. I guess, in a way, I had always known. I pulled out the dusty album from under my bed and opened it to a large family photo. Looking at it now, it was obvious. With pale skin, light-blond hair, and purple-blue eyes, I stood out from the rest of my Italian and Cajun family. My heart ached; they must have known. Bitterness consumed me as memories of my childhood crashed my mind.
I could hardly take another breath. My seven-year-old legs began buckling as they reached the doorknob, turning it and finding the safety of my home. The run from the bus stop had never taken so long, even though I had run faster than I think I ever had. I didn’t wait for Ana, who was always a few minutes behind me talking to her friends. I gulped air, trying to catch my breath as I opened the door to the kitchen. My mother faced the stove, apron tied behind her back, putting the finishing touches on our after-school snacks. It smelled like fresh-baked banana bread.
“Hey, baby girl, did you have a good day? Your snack is cooling off, go wash—”
I zoomed past her, willing the tears not to come, reaching my bedroom in record time. I flew to my safe place, under my bed, grabbing Mr. Nibbles on the way. My throat was becoming painfully sore holding in the tiny tears. I squeezed my soft rabbit, who always brought me comfort. The top of his fuzzy pink head quickly became wet with the tears falling from my eyes.
The door to my room creaked open. I held my breath. I didn’t want my mama to hear me. I didn’t want to tell her what Ginny said. My mom would call her mom, and then I would surely get it from Ginny tomorrow at school.
Why? Why could I not be loved by everyone like Anabelle? No one picked on her.
“Baby girl? What’s wrong?” Mama knelt on the hardwood floor, lifting the strawberry shortcake bed skirt. I let out the long breath I was holding, looked at her pretty face, and began to cry harder, hiccups mixing with tears.
“Baby, are you hurt?”
She squeezed herself as far as she could under the bed, pulling me into her.
“Na-na-no,” I pushed the words out.
“Baby, I can’t help you unless you tell me what happened.”
&nb
sp; “I ca-can’t.”
“You can’t or you won’t?” She stroked my back and rocked me gently. The smell of banana bread and cinnamon was comforting, and I allowed my rigid body to relax into her.
“I don’t want to.”
“No matter what, good or bad, you and Ana can tell Mommy and Daddy anything. There is nothing you could ever do or say that would make me stop loving you.” Her lips swept across my forehead.
“Paige, I want you to take a deep breath, count to three, and let it go. You are safe, and you are loved,” Mama said. She always said that.
I did as she asked. I could feel my heartbeat slowing, and my throat opening again.
“Come now, it’s time to tell Mama what’s wrong.”
“Ginny.” I blinked back the tears again. “Ginny said you’re not my mom and dad, and Paige isn’t my sister. She said I was adopted and my real family didn’t want me, and you had to take me ‘cause Daddy is a nice preacher,” I rushed the words out in one long breath.
Before Mama could even speak, I rambled on more. “She said that’s why Ana looks like you and Daddy and I don’t. She said my real mama was mean and ugly and that’s why I’m ugly and Ana is beautiful. She said they are going to come one day and take me ba-ba-back!” I cried harder, shoving my runny-nosed face in her apron.
“Don’t let them, Mama. I love you. Don’t let them take me.”
Mama spent days comforting me, reassuring me, making calls to the school and Ginny’s mother, of course. She was so angry, and she made sure every day I knew I was loved and born a part of this family.
There were nights that Ginny’s words played with my mind as a child, but, eventually, I forgot about them.
Chapter Nine
Kai
I placed a second layer under my Stained Souls leather jacket, tucking my shirt securely in my jeans. The ride to the clubhouse was becoming colder with each day closer to Christmas. I wasn’t looking forward to today’s meeting. The lot was full. Eight shiny Harleys greeted me. I rubbed my head, noticing the wreath decorating the clubhouse door.
What the hell have the women been up to?
Juliet and Ivy had them all geared up for a real holiday celebration on Christmas Eve and dinner for Christmas Day. I hadn’t been a holiday person since I was a little boy.
I stomped out my smoke and opened the door to what smelled like vanilla heaven. I inhaled deeply, and my stomach growled.
Hawk was leaving the kitchen, grinning from ear to ear. His tattooed hands were full of cookies and his mouth was so stuffed he could barely chew.
“Enjoying the cookies?”
“Oh ma gah, they’re amaz—”
“Watch it.” I stepped back as cookie crumbs flew past my face as he continued to talk with his mouth full. I raised my eyebrow, waiting.
“Sorry.” He laughed as he popped another cookie in his mouth. “You better get some before the others finish these.”
I grabbed a mug from the bar and followed the heavenly scent. Hack, Ledger, Rage, and Colt were filling plates with goodies, and cups with coffee. Juliet caught my eye as I walked in.
“Kai.” Her warm eyes softened on me. She put down her frosting bag and ran around the island.
“Hey, Juliet.” My arms went up as she wrapped hers around me and placed her head on my chest.
“Thanks for looking after Paige.”
I looked at Rage, who was scowling at his woman’s hands on me.
“Jules, you look great, all healed up.” I tilted her chin up, turning to the left then right. Her perfect face was no longer a reminder of that horrific night.
She took my mug and filled it with coffee and began placing cookies on a plate. When Rage reached for the last peanut butter and chocolate one, she smacked his hand and put it on my plate.
“I remember how much you loved my chocolate peanut butter cupcakes. You know I’m totally going to spoil you for your birthday this year,” she said and gave me a smile that could melt ice.
“We gotta go. The meeting’s about to start,” Rage growled, yanking my arm toward the door.
“Have a good meeting, boys. There are going to be lots more cookies to try before the weekend!” Juliet yelled over the holiday music the girls were singing to in the kitchen.
“Hey, who did this? That is not funny.” The other girls were laughing as a pissed Juliet held up her gingerbread man that now sported a penis and giant balls.
I began laughing so hard the coffee nearly flew out of my mouth. Colt slapped me on the back as I continued to choke.
“Have fun, ladies,” I joked, watching Juliet attempt to fix her cookie.
The meeting droned on and on. First, club finances and then upcoming fights. I hardly paid attention until it was my turn.
“Kai, what can you tell us about the Cajun Kings? Any updates?”
I was usually really on club tasks, but I had been spending so much time hanging out with Paige and stopping by at The Ridge when I knew she was working that I had not followed up as well as I should have. I ran my finger back and forth over the rim of my mug and looked at the table instead of Colt as I embellished the story I created to cover my ass.
“There isn’t much to tell at this point. I checked out a few of the locations we heard about, nothing turned up. There is one more building I have a lead on. I may need Hack to do a title search for me.”
Hack gave me a nod. “Catch me later, and I’ll get you anything you need.”
A few more topics were discussed before Colt banged the gavel, ending our meeting.
“Kai, can I talk to you a minute?” Colt said. He looked stressed out. He may be one of the oldest of the brothers, but he kept himself well. I think Rage and Juliet had an influence on him. Now, instead of a beer for breakfast, he was always walking around with these green drinks.
“Uh, yeah, what’s up?”
“You tell me. If you think I bought your bullshit, I shouldn’t be president. I’m not sure what you are up to, but you have not been on your game. I need answers and not just at your leisure. This situation of being caught between the Kings and the Damned could be deadly, so I want concrete answers and I want them soon. Get the fuck on it.” He didn’t wait for a reply and walked out of the room.
I caught up with Hack later that day, guilt had me moving to get investigating. He was able to find a buyer’s name for the old warehouse that was smack in the middle of the shopping district of Torrentsville.
I decided to take the ride myself. I didn’t want to draw attention by coming into town with several bikes. Over an hour later, I entered Torrentsville. Early evening had folks walking around town. The streets were busy with people entering restaurants. I slowed my bike, driving past the last block where most of the businesses were.
Several buildings were being renovated. I didn’t have to look at the address to know which one the Kings were inhabiting—the skull and crown spray-painted on the boarded windows told everyone. A line of bikes was parked in the alley alongside the building. The modified high-end Harleys looked out of place in the dingy, trash-filled alleyway. I picked up the pace as the side door began to open, noting the cameras along the front and sides of the building. I tucked my bike on a side street, walking the few blocks to where I could get a better look on foot. Vicious, the Cajun Kings’ president, had a bike like no other. Once, I had spent some time at a bike rally talking to him about all its mods.
What the hell were they up to?
Paige
One pathetic Christmas stocking hung on the nail I placed next to my tiny Norfolk pine that I decorated with a few items from the dollar store. This was my first Christmas alone. Kai had begged me to go to the club today for Christmas dinner. I didn’t have the heart to say no, again, so I was forcing myself to go.
Since the day I opened that email, my overactive imagination had sleep evading me. Who were my parents? The question was constantly swirling in my mind.
Just out of the shower, I was finishing applying some light mak
eup when, instead of knocks at my door, I heard jingling bells and “Ho, ho, ho.” I couldn’t contain the smile Kai always managed to put on my face as I tightened my towel and opened the door. Kai was wearing a Santa hat and holding up a bag of donuts and two coffees.
“Do you have anything for Santa, little girl? He’s got presents for you.”
“Come in, you goofball.” I laughed, taking the coffees from him. “I would never have imagined that you, a big bad biker, would come to my door looking like that.”
“What do you mean? I look sexy as hell as Santa. And, I will have you know, every nurse at the children’s hospital says so when I deliver toys to the kids.”
“You deliver toys to kids?”
“Hell yeah. I put on a big jelly belly and the whole freakin’ suit. I pull up on a Harley decorated with reindeer. They love it.”
“That I have to see.”
“Well then, you should come next year, as long as you don’t cramp Santa’s style with the little elf nurses.”
His eyes fell on my towel I was still clutching. “Um, are-are-are you naked under that towel?
“Last time I checked, I didn’t shower with clothes.”
Kai’s face turned red as he spun around. “Tink, get dressed.”
“Kai, you have naked women in your apartment every night, sometimes multiple women. Why are you acting shy?”
“You are not like those women. Now, get dressed.” He swept his hand back and forth like it would make me move faster. “Oh yeah, I have something for you. I left it in the hall.” He walked back toward the door.
I grabbed my clothes and made quick work of getting dressed in the bathroom. I smoothed down the front of the red lace top that plunged a deep V into my cleavage. The tight black jeggings looked dressy with the top and black heels Amber gave me. A long gold chain with a heart fell right between my boobs.
“Tink,” Kai said when he saw me, “you look beautiful.”
My cheeks felt warm. I was sure I was blushing. He looked at me for a little while longer, too long, before turning to whatever he was hiding under a blanket.
